WrestleMania season is here so that must mean it’s time for The Royal Rumble. At stake for the men & women entered into their respective Rumble matches is a shot at a championship title match & the possibility of headlining WrestleMania.
Here are my predictions for this year’s PPV:
United States Championship: Rusev(c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Both Rusev & Nakamura have been criminally underused and this feud got off to a slow start. It wasn’t until Rusev won the US title back on Dec. 24th that things took a turn. Shinsuke would take things to a personal level and take out Lana(Rusev’s real life wife) during a confrontation.
Rusev is looking for revenge… and looking to have a meaningful run with the US title. The title has been largely ignored but a hot feud & extended, hard-fought run with the title could bring it to prominence.
Prediction: Rusev retains.
Cruiserweight Championship: Buddy Murphy(c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itama
Buddy Murphy has had a spectacular run with the cruiserweight title and this upcoming match should add more to his legacy. This match should feature some high-flying action and will probably set up an eventual one-on-one match between 2 of these four men.
Prediction: Murphy retains. Tozawa will likely be set up as the new #1 contender.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Bar(c) vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon
The Miz has been trying to win the favor of Shane McMahon ever since that ill-fated PPV in Saudi Arabia where Shane took the place of the injured Miz in the Best in the World tournament final & won the tournament. McMahon finally accepted Miz’s offer and began feuding with The Bar.
The Bar happily accepted The Miz’s challenge for the tag titles and on the go home show proceeded to lay Miz & Shane out. What began as a really weird feud has become interesting thanks to The Bar’s viciousness.
Prediction: The Bar retains… and The Miz will turn on Shane out of jealousy.
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Asuka(c) vs. Becky Lynch 
Asuka won the title at TLC thanks to a little help from RAW Women’s champ Ronda Rousey. Now The Man is hellbent on reclaiming her title… and getting revenge on the baddest woman on the planet.
Asuka finally secured her 1st main roster title after languishing for much of 2018. She is a potent striker and a submission specialist who should be featured more. Lynch is probably the hottest act in all of sports entertainment and she is so hot right now she doesn’t even need a title to remain over with the fans.
Prediction: Asuka retains… and then Becky Lynch enters the Royal Rumble.
RAW Women’s Championship: Ronda Rousey(c) vs. Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks has not held the RAW women’s title in almost 2 years and has been relegated to meaningless 6 woman tag matches and a pseudo feud with Bayley that never went anywhere. Now she has a chance to knock off Ronda Rousey & reclaim her spot at the top of the women’s division.
Rousey is looking to win & possibly headline WrestleMania – a first for a women’s match. There has been speculation that Rousey intends to leave WWE after WrestleMania so headlining the Show of Shows would be the perfect sendoff.
Prediction: Rousey retains… and Sasha Banks enters the Women’s Royal Rumble.
Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar(c) vs. Finn Balor
Before Monday’s go home episode of RAW the last time we saw the Universal Champion was at that ill-fated Saudi Arabia PPV squashing of Braun Strowman. Since then Lesnar, and the title, have been rarely seen & talked about. Fans continue to bemoan the absence of RAW’s top title so they would love nothing more than to see Finn Balor upset the Beast Incarnate.
Balor, like a number of WWE superstars, has been criminally underused so to see him in this spot is a great sight. One can hope that the 4 headed monster(Vince, Steph, Triple H & Shane) that’s in control of both shows can throw a curve here.
Prediction: They throw the curve and Finn Balor wins the Universal Championship.
WWE Championship: The “New” Daniel Bryan(c) vs. The “Real” AJ Styles
This rivalry has been red-hot due to two things – Daniel Bryan’s commitment to his heel character and Styles’ commitment to playing the aggressive pursuer. Things have been physical & personal and that has led to great segments between these two. We know they’re capable of putting on really good matches and this upcoming title match will be no different.
Prediction: Daniel Bryan retains… and AJ Styles enters the Men’s Royal Rumble.
Men’s Royal Rumble Match
Featured competitors: Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Baron Corbin, Elias, Drew McIntyre, The New Day
Expect a few surprises(maybe even one Kenny Omega?) to pop up at this year’s Rumble. Also expect the usual tricks(like the annual save that Kofi Kingston will make). There will be some personal grudges settled in this one and after everything is done one man will come out on top.
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins the Men’s Royal Rumble to challenge for the Universal Title
Women’s Royal Rumble Match
Featured competitors: Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Ember Moon, Naomi, The Riott Squad, Nia Jax, Natalya, Alexa Bliss
This match should be intriguing because I expect both Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch to enter this match following their losses for the brand’s respective titles. Much like the men, some personal grudges will be settled(or started) and you’ll see a handful of surprise entrants. The biggest surprise will be the ending.
Prediction: Charlotte & Becky Lynch will be the last two standing and(taking a page from the 1994 Rumble) will tumble out of the ring simultaneously and be declared co-winners setting up a Triple Threat match with Rousey that will headline WrestleMania 35.
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